Tucson city council approves deal for Coyotes AHL affiliate

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) The Tucson City Council has approved a lease agreement for the Arizona Coyotes to move their AHL affiliate to the city.

The council voted 7-0 Tuesday night to approve a deal for the team to begin playing at the Tucson Convention Center in the 2016-17 season.

Last week, the AHL granted conditional approval for the Coyotes to buy the Springfield Falcons and relocate the team. The city council vote was the last hurdle for the team to move from Springfield, Massachusetts.

The Coyotes had an affiliation with the Portland Pirates before signing a three-year deal with the Falcons in 2015. Springfield had previously been an affiliate with the Edmonton Oilers and Columbus Blue Jackets.